Energy and sustainability

The Fraunhofer FEP offers innovative technologies and solutions in the field of energy and sustainability that contribute to increasing efficiency and conserving resources.

In the field of photovoltaics, the institute develops advanced coating processes to optimize solar cells and modules. For hydrogen technology, precise thin-film depositions for electrolysers are used to increase the efficiency of hydrogen production. We also develop customized coatings for battery technologies to improve the performance and service life of energy storage systems. Another research focus is fusion research, for which Fraunhofer FEP develops innovative coating and surface technologies. The Fraunhofer FEP is also working on intelligent solutions for energy management to support sustainable and efficient energy systems.

• Barrier and encapsulation for PV
• Transparent electrodes
• Damage-free deposition for top electrodes
• Deposition of complex materials (perovskites) by plasma-assisted evaporation

• Functional layers for fuel cells and high-temperature electrolysis
• Barrier layers for H₂ turbine components
• Power-to-X with electron beam-based plasma synthesis
• Photomicrobiological H₂ generation

• Coating of electrodes for high-performance batteries
• Cross-linking of printed thin-film batteries
• Porous silicon anodes
• Silicon-carbon composite anodes
• Metallized polymer films as current collectors in roll-to-roll technology
• Deposition of solid-state electrolyte layers
• Development of nodular silicon layers using roll-to-roll processes
• Thermal vapour deposition of lithium thin films on metal substrates and pre-lithiation of anodes
• Development of a novel technology for the production of electrochemical energy storage systems as an alternative to lithium-based battery systems for aluminium batteries
• Development of a solid-state battery for mobile high-valent ions
• Development of a production technology for solid-state electrolytes and electrodes

• Coatings for reactor surfaces and the first wall, e.g., W, Mo, Si, alloys, and/or their compounds
• Cost-effective deposition of high-power laser mirrors
• Customized power electronics, e.g., pulsed power supplies for scaled-up electro-optical switches (Pockels cells)
• Simulation of particle bombardment using an electron beam for the development of reactor materials with very high power densities and dynamics
  

The Fraunhofer FEP is aware of its social responsibility as a research institute. Awareness of resource-conserving behaviour in research and development and in the interests of our customers is an important aspect of our projects. 

In 2016, the energy management system was introduced in accordance with DIN ISO 50001 and has been regularly recertified since then. The energy management system creates transparency regarding energy flows and increases energy efficiency during institute operations. 

Selected measures:

• Installation of heat pumps for waste heat utilization to save heating and cooling energy
• Integration of a weather forecasting station into the building management system to reduce the heat energy consumption of the entire institute.
• Installation of photovoltaic systems with nominal outputs of between 43 and 87 kWp.
• Use of controllable electronic thermostatic valves in office and technical center buildings.